HERVAS LABORATORIES OF 
AMERICAN LINGUISTICS 
BULLETIN 3 


PROPER NAMES FROM THE 
MUSKHOGEAN LANGUAGES 

by 

—I -tfiwtv!;. Noxon Toomey 


St. Louis, Mo., U. S. A 
Hervas Laboratories 
September, 1917 









PROPER NAMES FROM THE MUSKHOGEAN 
LANGUAGES 

By^sfoxox Toomey 
a * 

Extensive lists of place names and their etymology have 
been collected for the important American linguistic families 
except the Muskhogean. This study was made for the little 
ethnical light it throws upon the Muskhogean peoples. Pub¬ 
lished lists of place names that occur in the South-eastern part 
of the United States contain some Muskhogean words but the 
papers have helped me very little, as all of them are incomplete 
and all but Gatschet’s translations are uncritical. 

This paper is based on a systematic survey of all present day 
names of Indian origin in the territory south of Tennessee and 
South Carolina and east of Texas. The compilation includes 
about eighty per cent of those names. The twenty per cent not 
included is composed almost equally of two parts: names from 
non-Muskhogean sources (Iroquoian, Siouan, Yuchean, Tonican, 
Timuquan, African languages, etc.); and those Muskhogeian 
words which can not be translated, either on account of irrepair- 
ably mutilated orthography, or because the words have lost 
their meaning. I have added the names the Muskhogeans gave 
to streams, hills, prairies and to their former villages. The 
names of existing places and obsolete names that had a conven¬ 
tional spelling are listed together alphabetically. The names 
that are not given incorrectly in the literature are listed in the 
same series but by correct phonetic spelling. I do not list every 
existing town bearing a Muskhogean name as some have names 
that are but variant of place names that are given. The more 
correct forms of names not listed will be recognizable, hence this 
paper lists practically all places with a Muskhogean name that 
is translatable. I have indicated five per cent of the names as of 
uncertain derivation. The characterizations of Muskhogean 
nomenclature made from an analysis of the six hundred place 
names and the proper names are sufficiently broad not to be 
affected by the errors in translation. 


2 


Bulletin 3—Eervas Laboratories. 


No one has made clear the system of personal names, titles 
and address of the Choctaws or of the Creeks, or published an 
extensive list of Muskhogean personal names and titles. Space 
allows me to give only two hundred appellations representing the 
several kinds of names and titles (often used as personal names). 
The names are divided into the ethnical-groups: Muskoki-Semi- 
nole, and Choctaw-Chickasaw. 

The bibliography includes the titles of a few works that I have 
not seen. The numbers in parenthesis in this paper refer to the 
titles in the bibliography. 

NAMES OF PLACES 

ABAYATCHIE creek. From Choctaw abaiyatchi, a place along the bank of a 
creek. 

ABIHKA. Ancient Muskoki town. From aiabihka, unhealthy place; ai- is 
locative. 

ABIKUDSHI. Ancient Muskoki town. Means little abihka; -udshi, diminutive. 
ABOLO CHITO creek in Mississippi. From habalo chito, big fight; chito means 
big. 

ACOLAPISSA. Former Muskhogean tribe. From Choctaw ac-okla-pissa, people 
who were not watching; subject is infix between negative particle and verb. 
AHIKI. Muskoki name of eastern tributary of Chattahoochee river; from Mus¬ 
koki ahi-ki, sweet-potato patches; ahi is sweet-potato. 

Al-IK-HUN-A. Former Choctaw Mission place. Name means: a place of learn¬ 
ing. 

AKOMI, Florida. From Muskoki akomis, a decline; from akomi’s, it goes down. 
ALABAMA. From the Alibamu, a tribe related to the Choctaws, formerly on 
the river now called Alabama. The name is known to be untranslatable. 
Following are the translations that have been offered, with Choctaw equiv¬ 
alents: Ehlla Banoh, name of a Choctaw chief (circa 1746) meaning Only 
(banoh) Child (ehlla); alba (the thicket) ayamule (I open or clear); alua 
(a burnt clearing); alba (thick vegetation) ittehnahah (gathered); here 
we rest, yak fohah hehpishno. 

ALACHUA, Florida. From Muskoki alachua, marshy grass; not Seminole bot¬ 
tomless jug. 

ALAFIA, Florida. From alafia, Mikasuki for buckeye tree. 

ALAMUCHEE, Alabama. From Choctaw a-lu-mu-chi, an artificial hiding place; 

from a-, locative, lumi, to hide, -chi indicating creation or causation. 
ALAQUA, Florida. From Seminole hilaqua, sweet gum (9), (10). 

ALIKCHI, Oklahoma. From Choctaw, alikchi, physician. 

ALLOON LOOANSHAW. Old Choctaw town. From halun lawi ansha, big bull¬ 
frog place. 

ALTAHOMAKA creek. From Choctaw alta, swift water, homaka, which is red. 
ALTA MAH A, Georgia. From Choctaw al-tahmaha, a town place. 


Author* 

i5 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


3 


AMALAHTA. Ancient Chickasaw town. Romans says it meant “hat and 
feather.” 

AMICOLALO, Georgia. From Muskoki amico (hunting ground) t’hlatlo (fish); 
fish pool. 

A NAT I TCHAPKO. Muskoki for long swamp; anati, swampy brush, tchapko, 
long. 

ANMUCCULLE. Said to mean “pour upon me”(?); (26). 

APALACHICOLA, Florida. From Hitchiti a-pala-chi (on other side of) -ukola 
(a suffix indicating a class of people (11); if -chi indicates casual mood, 
then a-pala-chi-kola would mean “people made to go on other side;” the 
town had the auxiliary names “old town” and “large town” (11). 

APALACHEE, Georgia. From Hitchiti a-palachi, on other side; maybe, to 
whoop at (8). 

APPALACHIAN. Adjective from apalachi; Brinton translates apalachi as 
from the Muskoki apala (great sea) -chi (personal suf.), those by the sea. 

APATAI. Ancient Lower Creek town. From apata’i, thing spread out as a 
cover. 

APOPKA, Florida. From Muskoki tsalopoko, catfish eating place (11). 

APPOOKTA creek. From Choctaw apokta, running a double course. 

APUNNEE creek in Alabama. Probably from Choctaw apukanni, may-apple. 

ASHUKHUMMA. Former Chickasaw town. From hashuk, herbage, and 
humma, red. 

ASSILANAPI. Former Muskoki town. From assi, leaf, lanapi, yellow or green. 

ATAKAPA (FRANKLIN, LA.). Name of extinct tribe. Choctaw hatak, man, 
upa, to eat. 

ATASI. Ancient Muskoki town. From Muskoki atasi, war-club. 

ATCHAFALAYA, Louisiana. From Six Towns dialect, hatcha, river, and falaia, 
long. 

ATCHINA-ALGI. Old Muskoki town. From atchina, cedar tree, -algi, group of. 

ATCHINAHATCHI. Muskoki name of a creek. From atchina, cedar, hatchi, 
creek. 

ATOKA, Alabama and Oklahoma. From Choctaw atoka, in another place. 

ATTAPULGUS, Georgia. From Muskoki iti, wood, and apulgis, bored with 
holes, the name given to the dog-wood. 

AYANABI. From Muskoki iyanabi, iron wood. 

BATAPAN BOGUE. Former name of a creek. From Choctaw nita, bear, pin, 
either suffix “one” or postpositional “our,” bok, creek; one hear creek (8). 

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana. French for “red stick.” Said to be from Choc¬ 
taw words for tall cypress, or from bloody-club massacre, or name of 
Choctaw chief. 

BAYOU, Kentucky. From the French form of the Choctaw word bok, a small 
stream. 

BAYOUGOULA, Louisiana. Muskhogean tribe. From Choctaw bok, creek, 
and okla, people. 

BAYOU CHICOT, Louisiana. From Choctaw bok, creek, and Creole French 
for “tree stump.” 


4 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


BAYOU NATCHEZ. From bok, creek, and French name for the tribe named 
Nakche. 

BIAHELA. Former town ,in Mississippi. From Choctaw bai-yi-ila, lone white 
oak (8). 

BIBA WILA creek. From Six Towns bai-yi, white oak, and wai-la, leaning. 

BILOXI, Mississippi. Small Siouan tribe. Said to be from Choctaw bulohchi, 
hickory bark (8), or from bok luksi, terrapin creek; “worthless” (10), ? 

BOCHEE, Georgia. From Choctaw buhti, white sumach. 

BOGALUSA, Louisiana. From Choctaw bok, creek, and lusa, black. 

BOGUE CHITTO. Town and creek in Mississippi. See Bokchito. 

BOGUE FALAYA (FALIA) bay in Louisiana. From Choctaw bok, creek, and 
fala,ia, long. 

BOGUE FALLAH (PHALIAH) creek in Mississippi. See Bogue Falaya. 

BOGUE HOMO creek in Mississippi. From Hooma dialect, bok, creek and 
homa, red. 

BOGUELOOSA. Town and creek in Alabama. See Bogalusa. 

BOKCHITO, Alabama. From Choctaw bok, creek, and chitoh, large. 

BOK FILAMMA. Choctaw name of a creek. From bok and filiamma, a prong 
or branch. 

BOKSHAHA. Former Choctaw name for Pearl river; shaha, pearl in Choctaw. 

BOK TUKLO CHITOH. Name of a confluence of creeks; means “two b)g 
creeks.” 

BOK-TA-NAK-BI CHI-TOH. Former Choctaw name of Tennessee river. From 
bok-ta-nak-bi, bend in the river, chi-toh, large; Big Bend river (8). 

BOLATUSHA, Mississippi. Choctaw bok, creek, ola, on this side, tusha, cut off. 

BUKATUNNA, Mississippi. From Choctaw bok itu(n)-na-hah, a running to¬ 
gether of creeks. Not from buchchah, a range of hills, and hantah, to be 
bright (8). 

BUCKSEHATCHEE creek. From Muskoki buk-sih, sumach, and hatchi, river. 

BULOOKTA. Ancient Choctaw town. From boluktah, to be square. 

BUTCH A creek. From Choctaw but-ih, white sumach, and -cha, possessive 
suffix. 

BUTT I HATCH EE river. From Choctaw but-ih, white sumach, and hatcha, river. 

CABAWFA creek. May be from Choctaw cobufa, destroyed. 

CALOOSA, Florida. Named from an Indian tribe; probably not translatable; 
has been said to mean crooked; ko-loh-lich-ih, to cut in many pieces. 

CALOOSAH ATCH EE river. From Caloosa, name of Indian tribe, and hatchi, 
Muskoki for r.i.ver; not from Choctaw chassulah, crooked and hatcha, 
river (8). 

CANOOCHEE, Georgia. From Muskoki ikanutshi, little graves; or according 
to Gatschet (11) from ikano idashi, graves are there. 

CASTINE BAYOU. Bayou in Louisiana. From Choctaw caste, flee, and bok, 
creek (5). 

CATAHOULA, Louisiana and Mississippi. Name of extinct tribe. From 
Choctaw okhutta, lake, and holitopa, beloved; or kawah, barking, chula, 
fox (8). 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


5 


CAT A Vi/BA, North Carolina. Former tribe. May be from Choctaw katapa, di¬ 
vided or separated. 

CATOWATCHE, Louisiana. Said to mean “turkey river;” possibly from Mus- 
koki chatto hatchi, rock river; or Choctaw katoma hatcha, what way river. 

CENOBY, Georgia. From Choctaw sinih, sycamore, and tohbi, white. 

CHACAHOULA, Louisiana. From Choctaw chaca hulwa, a large soft shell tur¬ 
tle. 

CHAFFELIA. Choctaw name of a creek. From sa-falaia, I am long; sa-, I am. 

CHAKCHIUMA. Extinct tribe. From Choctaw shakchi, crawfish, hooma, red 
(34). 

CHANNAHATCHEE, Alabama. From Muskoki chahni, salubrious, hatchi, 
river. 

CHAPEAU PE LA. Mound in Georgia. Means Whiteman’s hat. From French 
for hat, and Muskoki pela, meaning allie’s (or whitemen’s). 

CHARLEY APOPKA creek. From Muskoki tsalopopka, place for eating cat¬ 
fish (10). 

CHASSAHOWITZKA river. From Seminole, said to mean “pumpkin key” (9). 

C HATE LAW. Chickasaw town. Said to mean copper town. From Chatto- 
lanee (?). 

CHATOOGA county and mountains in Georgia. May mean “red rocks;” prob¬ 
ably from Muskoki tchatu, a rock, and a locative suffix. 

CHATTAHOOCHEE river and town in Georgia. From Muskoki tchatu, a rock, 
and hutchi, marked or pictured with signs (16), (18), (7). 

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee. From Muskoki tchatu, rocks, noogsa, drab col¬ 
ored. 

CHATTOLANEE. Old Muskoki town. From tchatu, a rock, lani, yellow; or 
copper. 

CHEFUNCTE river in Louisiana. From Choctaw name for the chinkapin (6). 

CHEHAWHAW creek. Old Muskoki town. From Cherokee (?); “where otters 
live.” 

CHELUCCONINNY. Old Muskoki town. From chelako, horse, and nini, 
trail (11). 

CHENUBBE, Georgia. From Choctaw chia(n), you, uhbih, kill (8). 

CHI AH A. Former Muskoki town. Sa.id to be from Cherokee “where otters 
live.” 

CHIAHUDSHI. Old Muskoki town. From chiaha and diminutive -udshi, little 
chiaha. 

CHICKAHOMINY creek. From Choctaw che-ki ho-mai-yih, to turn red quickly 

( 8 ). 

CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia. May be from Muskoki tchiskamaga, to become 
filled with snags or roots. It surely does not mean “river of death.” 

CHICKASANOXEE creek. From Choctaw chikasha anosi, Chickasaws sleep 
there. 

CHICKASAW, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma. From the Nation of that 
name. Original meaning lost. It is said to mean rebellious. 

CHICKASAWHAY river. From Choctaw chikasha ahi, Chickasaw potato. 


6 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


CHICKASAWHACHEE creek. From Choctaw chikasha hatcha, Chickasaw 
river. 

CHICKASAW BOGUE, Alabama. From Choctaw chikasha bok, Chickasaw 
creek. 

CHICOPA creek. From Choctaw shikopah, a plume; name of a missionary- 
society. 

CHICUCHATTI. Seminole town. From Muskoki chuki, houses, chati, red. 

CHIN-AK-BI creek. From Six Towns Dialect. Means crooked. 

CHINCHEHOMA creek. Named from Choctaw chief Chi(n)sha homa, Red 
Post Oak. 

CHINCHUBA, Louisiana. From Choctaw hachunchuba, alligator (5); not 
chinissuba (8). 

CHIPOLA, Louisiana. From Choctaw chepuli, name of a festival dance (8). 

CHITA, Mississippi. From Muskoki chitto, snake, or Choctaw chitoha, large 
place. 

CHITIMACHA, Louisiana. From the Nation of that name. Swanton derives 
from the Choctaw chuti imaca, those having cooking utensils; may be 
from the Chitimacha words for Grand river (cheti) and makea, a fishing 
place. 

CHOCCOLOCCO, Alabama. From Choctaw chukcho sokkoh, maple grove (8). 

CHOCK IE, Georgia and Oklahoma. From Choctaw chok.i, a marten. 

CHOCTAW, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma. From the nation of that name. 
Has been said to mean charming voice, and separation, but the meaning is 
lost. 

CHOCTAWHATCHI. Muskoki name of a river. From Chata hatchi, Choctaw 
river. 

CHOKO CHATI. Seminole town in Florida. From Muskoki choko, house, 
chati, red. 

CHOKOLOSKEE, Florida. From Seminole choko, house, and losti, black. 

CHOLATCHEE creek in Alabama. From Muskoki tsola, fox, and hatchi, river. 

CHOMONTAKALI. Old Choctaw town. From Choctaw shomo(n) takali, hang¬ 
ing moss. 

CHOOKA HOOLA. Former Choctaw town. From chukka, house, holitopa, be¬ 
loved. 

CHOOKATONKCHIE creek. From Choctaw chukka, house, tunkchi, corn. 

CHUALLEY creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw chuahla, a cedar (8). 

CHUBBY creek. From name of a Choctaw chief, Lucha Chuhubi, Turtle Killer. 

CHUKAFALAYA. Former Chickasaw town. From Choctaw chukka, house, 
falaia, long. 

CHUKFI AHIHLA BOK. Choctaw name of Dancing Rabbit creek; chukfi, rab¬ 
bit. 

CHULAHOMA creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw chula, fox and homa, red. 

CHU LATCH EE. Stream in Mississippi. From Muskoki tso-la hatchi, fox river. 

CHULA, Georgia and Louisiana. From Choctaw chula, fox. 

CHULAFINNEE, Alabama. From Muskoki tso-la fin-i, fox on high. 

CHU LOTA, Florida. From Choctaw chula, fox, ota, fen. 

CHUNCHULA, Alabama. From Choctaw chun-chula, thy fox (8). 


Toorney—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


7 


CHUN KEY. Town and stream in Mississippi. From Choctaw chunki, a marten. 

CHUN KEY CHITTO. Former Choctaw village. From chunki chitto, a large 
marten. 

CLAYHATCHIE, Alabama. From Muskoki, t’li, Arrow and hatchi, river. 

COAHOMA. County and town in Mississippi. From Choctaw koi, panther, 
and homa, red. 

COAHUTTA. Mountains and town in Georgia. From Muskoki koa hutta, 
bright cliffs, probably referring to a limestone ridge in Northern Georgia. 

COASATTA. Bluff on the Tombigbee. From Choctaw koi, panther, sak-tih, 
bluff. 

COATOPA, Alabama. From Choctaw coa, broken, topa, lodge or sleeping house. 

COCHECALECHEE river. From Choctaw koche-kotahlichi, place where reeds 
are trimmed down to make arrows, hence “trim cane” but not “broken 
arrow.” 

COE. Town in Georgia. If from Choctaw: coi, a panther. 

COILA (CUILA). Town in Mississippi. From Choctaw coi ilia, dead panther. 

COFFEDELIA. From Choctaw kafi talaia, sassafras thicket. 

COLOHATCHEE, Florida. May be from colok’hatchi, creek in a ravine. 

CONCHA. Former Choctaw town. From kanshak, a reed-hrake. 

CONCHACHITO. Former Choctaw town. From kanshak chito, a large reed- 
brake. 

CONCHA CONSAPA. Old Choctaw town. From kanshak o(n)sapa, reed- 
brake field. 

CONCH ARTE E. Town in Oklahoma. From Muskoki ikana, earth, cha(r)ti, 
red. 

CONCH ATI KPi. Former Choctaw town. From kanshak t.i.kpi, cane-brake 
knob. 

CONECHITO. Former Choctaw town. From Choctaw konih, skunk, chito, 
large. 

CONEHATTA, Mississippi. From Choctaw konih hutta, whitish pole-cat. 

CONEY. Town in Georgia. From Choctaw konih, skunk. 

COOCHIE, Louisiana. Possibly from Choctaw coochi, ejected, cast out. 

COONGEETO. Choctaw name for a flat. From kunshak chitto, large cane- 
brake. 

COOSA, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma. From trible named Kusha; “cane- 
brake” (people?). 

COOSADA, Alabama. From Muskoki Kusata the name of a tribe; meaning 
lost (11). 

COOSAHATCHI. Muskoki town. From Kusa, name of a tribe, hatchi, river (14). 

COOSAWHATCHIE. River and town in South Carolina. See Coosahatchi. 

COPIAH, Mississippi. From Choctaw kopipiah, a poor place. 

COSSAWATTEE. R.iver in Georgia. See Coosawhatchie. 

COUECHITOU. Former Choctaw town. From koi chito, large panther. 

COULEE KINEY, Louisiana. From Choctaw kuhlih, waterspring, kinahli, fall¬ 
ing. 

COUSHATTA, Louisiana. From Choctaw koa, arm, and shakba, broken (8). 

COWETA. County in Georgia. See Cusseta. 


8 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


CULLEOKA. Town in Tennessee. From Choctaw kuli oka, spring water. 

CUSHTUSA, Mississippi. Probably from Muskoki kusih-tusa, a dark or poorly 
lighted place; said to be from Choctaw kashtih-asha, fleas are there (15). 

CUSSETA, Alabama, Georgia. May be from the Yuchi word for man; Gatschet 
derives it from Muskoki kasihta, light, or coming from the sun. 

CUTHA. Former Choctaw town. From kutih a, the red hawthorn(s). 

CUTHI UCKEHACA. Choctaw town. From kutih okahakka, red hawthorn(s) 
in water. 

DACULA. Town in Georgia. From Muskoki takula, down (stream), or below. 

DANCING RABBIT CREEK, Mississippi. See its original name: chukfi luma 
hihlah bok. 

EASTANOLLEE. Town in Georgia. From Muskoki isti nol-li, term for white 
man. 

EBITA POOCOLA CHITTO. Former Choctaw village. From ibetep okla 
chitto, means larger town by the fountain-head or river source; ibetep, 
water source. 

EBITA POOCOLA SKATANE. Means “lesser town by the river head;” okla 
means collection of people or village; iskitini, means small or lesser. 

ECHACONNEE (ECKACONNEE). Town in Georgia. From Muskoki for 
beaver stream (11). 

ECHASHOTEE. Former Seminole town. From Muskoki echas hoti, beaver 
his house. 

ECHOLA. Town in Alabama. From Choctaw ai-chula, a fox-run. 

ECUNCHATE. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki ikuna, earth and chati, 
red. 

ECUNHUTKE. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki ikuna, earth and hutki, 
white. 

EC H USE ISLIGAU. Muskoki town. May mean “where a young thing was 
found” (26). 

ECONHOLLOWAY. Former Seminole town. From ikana, earth, and halue, 
high (9). 

EMUCKFAW (EMAUFAW), Alabama. From Muskoki word meaning “shell 
medal” (6). 

ENITACHOPCO, Alabama. From Choctaw enitak hopako, where we left at 
day-break. 

ESTABOGA, Alabama. From Muskoki isti apogita, where people go to live 
temporarily. 

ESTABUTCHIE, Mississippi. From Choctaw ,|sti abuhtshih, mourning people; 
isti, people. 

ETENAIAH. Former Seminole town. From Seminole for scrub under-brush (9). 

ETOWAH, Georgia. From Cherokee ?; said to be from Muskoki eto-ofa, in the 
woods; from Choctaw hetoka, ball ground (8); and Seminole “boat pol¬ 
ing” (9). 

ETUCK CHUKKE. From Muskoki itulki chukke (blue); people of the blue 
woods. 

EUFAULA, Alabama, Oklahoma. From Yufala, a former Muskoki town; mean¬ 
ing ,is long lost. 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names 


9 


EUKABA, Mississippi. From Choctaw yukaba, a glen. 

FAH KAHNATCH EEA river in Florida. From Seminole for dirty or muddy 
river. 

FAKIT CHIPINTA. Old Choctaw town. From Choctaw, means a very small 
turkey. 

FALIAH. Town in Louisiana. From Choctaw faliah, long. 

FALUKTA BUNN EE. Choctaw town. From (falukta bunni, fox squirrel 
doubled up. 

FALUSLAKAHA creek in Florida. From Seminole falus, bottle, ’lakah, large. 

FANNEGUSHA creek in Mississippi. See Funnegusha. 

FEN AC HA creek in Alabama. Means Turkey creek. 

FINHOLOWAY river. From Muskoki fin-halui, high log foot bridge (11). 

FOSHEE. Town in Alabama. From the Muskoki word foshi, a bird. 

FUNNEGUSHA creek. From Muskoki foni-gusha, bone people; those who pick 
bones. 

FUSI HUTCHI. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki fusi, bird, hutchi, tail. 

FUSKEY, Mississippi. Formerly fusi-hatchi, from Muskoki fusi hatchi, bird 
river (11). 

HABOLIH CHITOLIT. Choctaw name of a creek. Means “greatly dimin¬ 
ished” (8). 

HACHOTUKNI. Choctaw name of a bluff on the Tombigbee; word means 
turtle. 

HALLOKA, Georgia. Possibly from Choctaw haloka, loved out of reverence 
(sacred). 

HALPATI OKI. Means alligator water. Old Mikasuki name of Alligator 
Swamp. 

HANKA ULLAH. Former Choctaw town. From hankha, wild goose, and ola, 
crying. 

HAPOHKA. Old Choctaw town. From hapolihka, a greatly diminished place. 

HASUNLAWI. Former Choctaw town. Named from Chief Yasunla-ubi, Leech 
Killer. 

HATCHAPALOO. Creek in Mississippi. From Muskoki hatchi, river and 
apalooa, a part; means an especial part or portion of the river. 

HATCH EE. Towns in Alabama and Mississippi. From Muskoki hatchi, creek. 

HATCHECHUBBA, Alabama. From Muskoki hatchi tchaba, halfway creek. 

HATCHECHUBBEE creek. From Choctaw chief Hatchi-chi Ubbi, Little Creek 
Killer. 

HATCHISHE creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw hatchushi, a little creek. 

HATCHl-THLUCCO. Muskoki name of a creek. From hatchi t(h)luko, big 
creek. 

HATCHI CAM ESA. Muskoki name of a creek. From hatchi kamesa, quiet 
creek. 

HATCHE-CANANE. Muskoki name of a creek. Means crooked creek (26). 

HENUBBY creek. From Choctaw chief Henunubbi, Hawk Killer. 

HIKKIHAW. Former Chickasaw town. From Choctaw hikiah, to stand still. 

HILLABEE creek. From Muskoki hilapi, quickness or quick-flowing (11). 


10 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


HITCHAPU KSASSI. Seminole town. From Muskoki hitchapuk, pipes, sassi, 
many. 

HITCHITA. Town in Oklahoma. From Muskoki ahitchita, to look up stream. 

HITCHITEE. See Hitchita. Cushman gives; hishi itih, hairy mouth as mean¬ 
ing. 

HIYOO WUNNEE. Late Choctaw town. From hiyuhlih, they stand, uni, ber¬ 
ries. 

H12P0CHEE. Lake in Florida. Formerly hitchi-udtchi, little hitchita. 

HLAHLO KALKA. Former Muskoki town. From hlalo, fish, akalgada, to 
separate; means “fish distributing market,” 

HLANUDSHIAPALA. Late Muskoki town. Means “a little mountain beyond 
(apala).” 

HLAPHLAKO. Old Muskoki town. From Muskoki hlap, cane or reed, hlako r 
big (11). 

HOB AC HIT YUKPA. Choctaw name of a shoal. Hobachit, echo, yukpah, 
laughing. 

HOBUCK BOGUE. Creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw hobuck hok, coward 
creek. 

HODCHODKEE creek in Georgia. From Muskoki hotsadkees, it is marked. 

HOITHLI WAHLI. Former Muskoti town. Means divided by fights or dissen¬ 
sions. 

HOMER, Louisiana. Was named Mouma from Choctaw clan The Moyuma; 
means everyone (8). 

HOMOCHI TO. Town and river in Mississippi. See Humecheto. 

HOMOSASSA, Florida. From Seminole homo, peppers, sassa, many. 

HONTOKOLO creek in Mississippi. From Six Town dialect hontuklo, seven. 

HOOLKA (HOULKA), Mississippi. Said to he from Muskoki holwahkasi, help¬ 
less one. 

HOOPA ULLA. Former Choctaw town. From Choctaw opa, owl, ola, hooting. 

HOPOCA. Town in Mississippi. From hopahka, the tribal name of the Cobb 
Indians; may be from Choctaw hapaki, remote or distantly removed. 

HOTALIHUYANA. Former Muskoki town. From hutali, wind, huyana, pass¬ 
ing (11). 

HOUMA. Town in Louisiana. From the Houma, a lower Choctaw tribe, orig¬ 
inally called sakchi-hooma, meaning red (hooma) crawfish (sakchi) (34). 

HUH LI TAIGA. Former Muskoki town. From huli taiga, war ford (11). 

HU LI WAHLI. Old Muskoki town. Huli, war, awahlita, to divide into factions. 

HUMECHETO creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw humma, red, chitoh, greatly. 

HUSH-1 H BOK. Choctaw name of Sun Creek. Hush-ih means sun. 

HUSHPUCANA creek. From Choctaw hushpa ikania, lost by fire. 

HUSHUKWA. Late Choctaw town. From hushukih-wa, cannot graze, or hush- 
ukih wak, grazing cattle; to mean “a superior place” (8) requires ai- 
hasho-kak. 

HYPOLUXO. Town in Florida. Corrupted from haiyip, lake, hopulka, to be 
w.i,de. 

IBETOUPA. Name of a tribe. See Ebita. 


' . / 

Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 11 

IKANACHAKA. Late Muskoki town. From ikana, ground, atchaka, beloved 

( 11 ). 

IKANACHATI. Former Muskoki town. From ikana, ground, chati, red. 

IKANHATKI. Former Muskoki town. From ikana, ground, hatki, white. 

I LA (ILLA). Town in Georgia. From Choctaw ilia, dead. 

IMUKFA. Late Muskoki town. From Hitchiti, shells or metallic things like 
them. 

INKILLIS TAMAHA. Former Six Town village. From Choctaw word for town 
(tamaha) and word said to mean “English;” was an English trading post. 

INTATCH KALGI. Muskoki town. Said to mean “collection of bever dams” (11). 

ISHTPOONFA HAIYIP. Choctaw lake name. Ishtpoonfa, powder horn, haiyip, 
lake. 

ISSAQUENA, Mississippi. From Choctaw issi, deer, and okhina, river (8). 

ISTACHATTA, Florida. From a Seminole appellation; isti, men, chate, red. 

ISTOPOGA lake, in Florida. From Muskoki isti, man, poga, dead. 

ITAWAMBA, Mississippi. Named from Ita Wampa (The Wooden Dish), 
daughter of a Chickasaw chief; also given as iti ai obinili. Wooden Seat (8). 

ISTUDSHILAIKA. Old Muskoki town. From istudshi, child, laika, laying there. 

ITA. Town in Mississippi. From Choctaw ita, the wood. 

ITI SHANA. Choctaw name of a creek. Means twisting (shana) wood (iti). 

ITTABENA. Town in Mississippi. Choctaw ittaba, into each other, nowah, 
walking. 

ITUMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw ituma, a summer town; place a short dis¬ 
tance away. 

IUKA, Mississippi. From Choctaw i yuk hana, where two roads cross. 

KAILAIDSHI. Muskoki town. Gatschet gives: ika ilaidshis, his head I kill. 

KANCHATI. Former Alibamu town. From kanchati, cane. 

KETCHEPEDAKEE (KITCHABADOGGA) creek, in Alabama. Probably from 
the Muskoki hitchi opataki, river where the maize i.s spread out (14). 

KISATCHIE, Louisiana. May be from Choctaw kisachi, “parched ground.” 

KOONCE. Town in Georgia. Probably from Muskoki for skunk. 

KULLITUKLO. Town in Oklahoma. From Choctaw kulih, springs, tuklo, two. 

KULLY CHAHA. Town in Oklahoma. From Choctaw kulih, spring, chahah, 
high. 

KULUMI. Former Muskoki town. From kulumi, I clinch (11). 

KYMULGA. Town in Alabama. From Muskoki kimulgis, it bubbles. 

LACOOCHEE, Florida. Muskoki ’le-katchki, where cane is broken to make 
arrows. 

LAPITTAH BOK. Choctaw name of Buck Creek. Lapittah means buck. 

LATCH A HO A. Former Chickasaw town. From lutcha, terrapin, hoa, half- 
grown. 

LETOHATCHEE creek, in Alabama. From Muskoki leto, swamp, hatchi, river. 

LOACHAPOHA, Alabama. From Muskoki lutcha, terrapin, poka, killing place. 

LOBOUTCHA (LOBUTCHY), Mississippi. From Choctaw lahbuchih, to make 
warm. 

LOCH LOOSE. Town in Florida. From Choctaw lutcha, terrapin, loosa, black. 


12 Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 

LOCKTSHAPOPKA. Seminole town. Muskoki loktsha popka, acorns to eat 
(9). 

LOKSACHUMPA. Former Seminole town. From M.ikasuki, means broad 
swamp. 

LONOTISKA HATCHI. Muskoki name of Flint Creek, the proper translation. 

LOOSASCOONA. Choctaw name of a creek. From yallus (leach) iskuna (en¬ 
trails). 

LOOXAHOMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw luksi, terrapin, homa, red. 

LOOXAPALIA. Town in Alabama. From looksi apullila, floating turtle. 

LUST EE. Creek ),n Alabama. From Muskoki lusti, black. 

LUKFA. Former Seminole town. From Seminole lukfi, earth or dirt. 

LUKFATA (LUKFLIPPA), Oklahoma. Was lukfi ai apa, eat dirt there, deer- 
lick (15). 

LUSSAH HOCHETOH. Choctaw name of a swamp. Means big swamps; hoche- 
toh, big. 

LUSSAH KOHNI. Choctaw name of swamp. From lussah, swamp, kohni, pole¬ 
cat. 

LUTCHAPOGA. Former Muskoki town. See Loachapoha. 

LUXOMNI. Town in Georgia. From Muskoki for terrapin. 

MATTAWANA. Town in Alabama. From Muskoki matawana, in close prox¬ 
imity. 

MAYA I Ml. Lake in Florida. Said to mean “very large water” (10). 

MEGAHEE, Georgia. Originally miko hopaii, Muskoki for war chief. 

MEKUSUKEY, Oklahoma. The name of a tribe of the Hitchiti; meaning is 
lost. 

MI-AH-SHOH-BIH. Name of a Choctaw town. Means “to go in advance” (8). 

MICANOPY, Florida. From a Chief of the Seminoles. May mean “chief of 
chiefs.” 

MICO (MICCO). Town in Florida. From Muskoki miko, king or chief. 

MICCOSUKEE or MICCOSULEE. Town and lake in Florida. See Mekusukey. 

MINCO (MINGO), Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma. From Choctaw minko, 
king or chief. 

MINCO HOMA. Town in Mississippi. From Choctaw minko, chief, homa, red. 

MISHAWAKA, Indiana. Shawnee “red earth;” not from Choctaw misha 
wayah ka (8). 

MOBILE, Alabama. From maubila, ancient Choctaw town; meaning lost. 
Cushman derives from moma binah, Choctaw for “principal lodge;” binah, 
lodge. 

MUCKALEE. County in Georgia. From the Choctaw tribe Mukalasha. See 
Muklasa. 

MUKLASA. Town in Oklahoma and a former Alibamu town. From the 
Mukalasha, a Muskhogean tribe. Derived from Muskoki imuklasha, op¬ 
posite people. 

MUSCOGEE. County in Georgia, towns in Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma. 
Collective name for Muskoki tribes. Probably means swampy or open 
marshy land. 

NACOOCHEE, Georgia. From Choctaw nakoochi, merchants, traders. 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


13 


NAHEOLA. Town in Alabama. Prom Choctaw nahula, white man. 

NANACHEHAW. Town in Mississippi. From Choctaw nanachiha, a kind of 
cedar. 

NANAFALIA, Alabama. From Choctaw nan a falia, where something long is. 

NANNAHUBBA. Town in Alabama. From Choctaw nunih uba, hill above. 

NAPANEE, Mississippi. From Choctaw na punni, something to twist rope or 
yarn; a spinning-wheel. 

NAPISSA. See Quinapissa. 

NATCHEZ, Mississippi. From the Naktche Tribe. Meaning unknown; may 
be from the Chitimacha naetche, a warrior. Said to be from Choctaw 
anukwayuchih, to hurry, or nachuffl, to break off from (8); naksika “side 
away from” (14). 

NATCHITOCHES. Parish and town in Louisiana. Means little Natchez. 

NASH OB A. County in Mississippi. Town in Oklahoma. From Choctaw 
nashoba, wolf. 

NAUFATA creek. From Choctaw nofupi fatcha, straight beech tree. 

NITA. Town in Mississippi. From Choctaw nita, bear. 

NITTAYUMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw' nita, bear, yummah, yonder. 

NOCHONUBBI creek. Choctaw nakshonbi, stench, ubbi, to kill, stench that 
kills. 

NOTASULGA, Alabama. From Muskoki for Bear Clan, Nokosalgi; algi, a 
collective. 

NOWATA. Town in Oklahoma. From Choctaw ai nowat a, the walking- 
place. 

NOXUBEE (NOXUBA). County in Mississippi. From Choctaw nakshobi, 
offensive odor (8). 

NUNIH WAIYAH. Choctaw name of a mound. From nunih, mound, wa.iyah, 
leaning. 

NUSIH CHIAH. Choctaw name of a creek. From nusih, sleep, chiah, you; 
means metaphorically “taken by surprise” (8). 

NUYAKA. Town and creek in Oklahoma. Muskoki phononym for New York. 

OAKFUSKEE, Alabama. Muskoki akfuski, a point of ground between a con¬ 
fluence of rivers. From ak, down (stream), faski, sharp (11). 

OAKTABA. Town in Oklahoma. Means “sand.” 

OAKTEWALLY. Former Choctaw town. From Choctaw o-ti wali.h, exhibit¬ 
ing chestnuts. 

OAKTIBBEE creek. From Choctaw oaka-ti-ubbi, killed in the water. 

OCALA, Florida, Mississippi. From Choctaw oka, water, ulla, noisy. 

OCCLICHEE creek. From Choctaw okl’uchee, their name for the Uchee 
Indians. 

OCHE APOFAW. See odshi-apofa. 

OCHEESEE, Florida. From Muskoki odshisi, hickory nut or Choctaw ochisi, 
small well. 

OCHISI ALGI. Late Seminole town. From The Ochisi, a tribe; meaning lost. 

OCKLOKONEE, Georgia. Said to mean “yellow water” (9), (10). 

OCHLOCKNEE (OKLOCHNEE), Florida. From Seminole, okeloknee, much 
bent. 


14 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


OCHUECOLA creek. Formerly ochesi-ola. Hitchiti for “The Ochesi.” 

OKLIMENTAH creek. From Choctaw okl-imenta, people just come or ar¬ 
rived. 

OCKMULGEE. Town in Alabama. See Okmulgi. 

OKAKAPASSA. Former Choctaw town. From Choctaw oka, water, kuppissa, 
cold. 

OKLAWAHA, Florida. Probably from Mikasuki oka lawaha, water muddy in 
there (9); also said to be from okla yauha, people subject to fever (4). 

OCONEE, Georgia, Oklahoma. Old Muskoki town. From Cherokee okoni 
eknoni, great big water. 

ODSHI-APOFA. From Muskoki odshi api, hickory tree, ofa, locality; hickory 
grove. 

OFAHOMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw ofa, dogs, homa, red. 

OGEECHEE, Georgia, Oklahoma. From Okeechee, Muskoki name for Yuchi 
Indians. 

OKA AKOBLI. From Choctaw oka, water, akobli, where the biting (good 
fishing) is. 

OKA ALTAKALA. Former Choctaw town. From oka altakala, between the 
waters. 

OKA CHASH-PO HOSH. A Choctaw name for the Mississippi river. Means 
the (hosh) ancient (chashpo) water (oka). 

OKACHIKAMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw oka, water, chikama hikia, you 
laid there. 

OKACHIPPA. Choctaw name of a cataract. From oka (water) shippa, run 
down. 

OKAHOLA, Mississippi. From Choctaw oka, water, hulya, filtered. 

OKAHUMKA, Florida. Probably from Hitchiti oka, water, humka, first. 

OKA HULL A. Choctaw name of a stream. From oka, water, hulla, beloved. 

OKALOOSA, Louisiana. From Choctaw oka, water, loosa, black. 

OKATA. Old Muskoki town. From Muskoki okata, brier break. 

OKATALAYA. Former Choctaw town. From oka talaya, a puddle. 

OK ATI BEE, Mississippi. From Choctaw oka itibih, where there was a battle 
in the water. 

OKATOMA creek. Probably from Choctaw oka tomba, very good water. 

OK-A-TO-MI. Old Choctaw town. Said to mean “sunshine in water.” 

O-KAU-OKEH HATCHI. Muskoki name of a creek. Means “river with 
falls.” 

OKATUPPA, Alabama. From Choctaw oka tappa, water that is cut off. 

OKEFINOKEE. Swamp in Georgia. From Hitchiti oki, water, finoki, waving 
or shaking. 

OKEHUMPKEE. Former Seminole town. From Mikasuki oki, water, humpki, 
dangerous. 

OKENACHITTO creek. Probably from Six Town oke, water, nachito, some¬ 
thing big. 

OKFUSKUDSHI. Late Muskoki town. Means Little Okfuski; -udshi is 
diminutive. 

OK-HI-NA CHI-TOH. Choctaw name of a river, from okhina, river, chitoh, big. 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


15 


OKI. Town in Georgia. From Mikosuki, oki, water. 

OKICHOBEE, Florida. From Seminole or Mikasuki oki, water, chobi, large. 

OKI-TIYAKIN. From Hitchit.i oki, water, tiyakin, bending or whirling. 

OKI ULLA. Mikasuki name of a creek. From oki, water, ulla, noisy. 

OKLAHOMA. From Choctaw okla, people, homa, red (and ? ichuka, home of). 
The Creeks wrongly claim it is from their words okla fona, sand burr 
land. 

OKLA LELIH. Choctaw town. From okla, people, lelih, who plough; or white 
men. 

OKLO KONEE river. Said to mean “yellow water” but originally not Muskho- 
gean. 

OKMULGI river. From Hitchiti oki, water, mulgis, bubbling or “boiling.” 

OKSHASH creek. From Choctaw okshash, means a mush made of acorns. 

OK-SHAU-LIH. Ancient Choctaw town. Means “to be fair or light or clean.” 

OKTAHA. Town in Oklahoma. See Oaktaha. 

OKTA HATCH EE, Florida. From Mikasuki okta, sandy, hatchi, river. 

OKTAHATKE. Former Seminole town. From okta hutki, white sand. 

OKTAK TOHBOKOLIH prairie. From Choctaw oktak, prairie, tohbokolih, 
bluish-white. 

OKTAMULKA, Alabama. Means “quicksand” in Muskoki. 

OKTCHAYUDSHI. Former Muskoki town. Said to mean “little compact 
town.” 

OKTIBEHAW, Mississippi. Probably from oka ittibih-ha, place of a fight in the 
water. 

OKTOC, Mississippi. From Choctaw oktak, prairie. 

OLA, Alabama. From Choctaw ola, “on this side of.” 

OLALEE, Alabama. From Muskoki olalees, to reach or arrive at. 

OLITASHA (HOLIHTASHA). Choctaw name for an old American settlement. 
From holihta, palisade or fort, asha, is there; or “foYt town.” 

OLOKIKANA. Seminole name of Spotted Lake. Means: lake spotted with 
islands. 

O LUST EE, Alabama, Florida. From Muskoki o-e-wa, water, lusti, black. 

OMUSSEE, Alabama. Formerly called emussas (creek), means “tributary” 
in Muskoki. 

ONALASKA, Arkansas. From Choctaw ona luhcha, to arrive being wet (8). 

OOSTANAULA. River in Georgia. See Eastanollee. 

OPELIKA, Alabama. From Muskoki, opilua, swamp, laikata, to be stretched 
out. 

OPELOUSAS, Louisiana. From Choctaw. Probably from ope, leggings, loosa, 
black. 

OPILLAKO river. From Muskoki opilua, swamp, thlako, large. 

OPINE, Alabama. If from Muskoghean source is from Muskoki apukanni, may- 
apple. 

OSCEOLA, Mississippi, Alabama. From name of Muskoki chief Asseola, Ris¬ 
ing Sun. 

OSKABOGUE, Mississippi. From Choctaw oski, cane, bok, creek. 


16 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


OSKELAGNA. Former Choctaw town. From Choctaw oski, cane, lakni, yel¬ 
low. 

OSKI HLOPAH. Choctaw name of a creek, from oski, cane, hlopah, stripped. 

OSKOBA. Choctaw name of a village. From oski holba, small cane or cane¬ 
like. 

OSKODEGA. Muskoki name of a flat. Means pebbly stretch. 

OSSAHUTCHEE, Georgia. From ossa, eagle swarm, hatchi, river. 

OSSANIPPA (OSANIPPA), Alabama. From ossa, eagles, nippa, carcasses. 

OSUKTALAYA. Former Choctaw town. From oksak talaya, hickory grove. 

O-SUN-NUP-PA. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki for “moss” (26). 

OSYKA, Mississippi. From Choctaw osika, the white heron. 

OTAKOOCHE creek. From Choctaw ot-akoochi, an unusual thing dug or 
fished up. 

O-TEL-WHO-YAU-NAU. Former Muskoki town. Said to mean hurricane 
town (26). 

OTIPALIN. Former Muskoki town. From oti, a large field, palin, completed 
or all worked. 

OTOCKLAWFA, Mississippi. From Choctaw oktawk lawfa, winnowed prairie; 
cleared field. 

OTUCKALOFA. Creek in Mississippi. See Otockalawfa. 

OWATOMY. Choctaw name, probably from owa, a hunt, tomi, in the sun¬ 
shine (8). 

PACHITA (PACHUTA), Georgia. Said to be from Choctaw for “opossum 
creek” (10). 

PADSHILAIKA. Muskoki name for Pigeon Town. From padshi laikas, pigeon 
to sit. 

PAKAN-TALAHASSI. Former Muskoki town. From ipakana, may-apple, 
italua, town, hassi, ancient (11). Stidham gives: “old peach orchard town.” 

PAFUHLOHA. Old Choctaw village. From pafuhloha meaning “swelling or 
knobs.” 

PALATKA, Florida. Said to be from Seminole waca ak pilatka, cow driving 
ford (10). 

PANASOFFKE, Florida. From Seminole pane sofke, deep valley. 

PANOLA, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma. From Choctaw ponola, cotton. 

PAOLI, Georgia. Originally Pakali, from wife of Tushka Apela (Warrior 
Helper). 

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi. From Southern Choctaw dialect paska, bread, 
ogla, people. 

PASKUS creek. From Choctaw chief Pash-kus which means “a child.” 

PELAHATCHI creek. From Choctaw pehla hatchi, dividing creek. 

PENAIONTALA. Six Town name of a creek. Means boat landing (15); 
penai, boat. 

PENSACOLA, Florida. Probably from Southern Choctaw penusha, row boats, 
okla, people. Gannett gives: pan-sha-okla, “hair people” which seems 
wrong. 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 17 

PEN-WA CHO-KOD-CHI. Old Muskoki town. From penwa, turkey, chokodchi, 
house. 

PIAKUHCHI. Choctaw name of a creek. From piakuhchi, rippling. 

PINOLA, Mississippi. Probably from Choctaw p.i,n ola, our place on this side 
(of —). 

PINTHLOCCO creek. From Muskoki pin t’lukko, a large fowl probably capon. 

PISH NO. Choctaw name of a village. From Choctaw pishno, we, us, all of us. 

PITHLACHOCCO. Lake in Florida. From Seminole pishla, boat, chok-ko, 
house (ship). 

POHCHISHATCHEE creek. From Muskoki pohchishwa, hatchet, hatchi, river, 

PONCHATOULA, Louisiana. From Choctaw poncha, Ilex sp., tuhla, place 
where they grow. 

PONCHISHATCHEE creek. From Muskoki, means: “our Allie’s creek.” 

PONCHITOAWA. Creek in Louisiana. From Bayou Lacomb Choctaw, means 
“singing hair” (5). 

PONOKA, Alabama. Probably from Choctaw ponokalo, they spin or twist 
rope. 

PONTOCOLA, Mississippi. From Choctaw panki, grapes, takola, hanging (8). 

PONTOTOC, Mississippi. Possibly from Choctaw panshta, a weed, oktak, 
prairie (15). 

PUCCUN TALLAU HASSI. Former Muskoki town. Means: may-apples old 
town (26). 

PUHCHI YOSHOBAH. Former Choctaw village. From puhchi, pigeon, yosho- 
bah, lost. 

QUINAPISSA. An Indian Tribe. From Choctaw kuhna, persons, pissa, to 
see (34). 

ROOSKOOS TO KALI. From the Choctaw puskus, child, tokali, to fire a gun. 

SABOUGLA, Mississippi. From Muskoki sabagla, they stand erect. 

SAKATONCHEE, Mississippi. From Choctaw shaka tanshi, hog corn. 

SAWACKLAHATCHEE creek. From Muskoki sawakla, raccoon town, hatchi, 
river. 

SAWOKLA, Oklahoma. From Hitchiti sawi, raccoon, ukla, town. 

SAWOKLI-UDSHI. Former Muskoki town. Means little Sawokli; -udshi, 
diminutive. 

SCHATULGA, Georgia. From The Schatchulgi or Crawfish gens, a phratrie 
of the Creeks. 

SCOOBA, Mississippi. From Choctaw oscooba, worn down from oski holba, 
reed break. 

SELETEGA. Muskoki name of a plain. From suli tega, a meeting plain. 

SEMINOLE, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia. From the Muskhogean tribe, the 
Seminoles, or Isti seminole. Name probably meant run-aways, separated 
ones or renegades. 

SENATOBIA, Mississippi. From Choctaw sinih tohbi a, my white syca¬ 
more (8). 

SENEATCHA creek. From Choctaw sinih, sycamore, hatcha, river. 

SHOCCO (SHOCCOE), Mississippi, Alabama. From Muskoki for house. 

SHOCKALOO creek in Mississippi. From Muskoki, means “home place.” 


18 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


SHOEBOOTEE (SHUBUTA), Mississippi. From Choctaw shobotah, smok¬ 
ing (8). 

SHUQUALAK, Mississippi. Possibly from Choctaw shawalaka, not widely 
branching. 

SI AH YO-SHU-BA. Former Choctaw village. From siah, I am, yoshuba, lost. 

SIBOGLAHATCHA, Mississippi. From Choctaw issuba okla, horse herd, 
hatcha, river. 

SINTA BAYOU. Creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw s.ijiti, snake, bayou, 
Creole for bok. 

SOENLOVIE creek. Corrupted from Six Town original iasunla-bi, leech 
killer. 

SOFKAHATCHEE. Creek in Alabama. From Muskoki sofki, a corn mush, 
hatchi, river. 

SOFKEE, Georgia. From Muskoki sofki, a corn mush or Tom Fuller. 

SOLGOHACHIA, Arkansas. If from Choctaw from sokko, a muscadine, hachia, 
river. 

SOOCHEAH. Former Choctaw town. From shookha, hog, i-ah, here (26). 

SOOKALENA creek. From Choctaw ia sun labi, leech-killer (15). 

SOOKANATCHIE. Creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw sooka(n), hog, hatchi, 
river. 

SOQUEE. River in Georgia. Probably from Muskoki sofki, a corn mush. 

SOUGUAHATCHEE. Creek in Alabama. From soo-ga, rattle or cymbal, 
hatchi, river (16). 

SOWHATCHEE, Georgia. Originally saw-nook hatchi. From Muskoki, means 
“mad river.” 

SUCARNOOCHE creek. From Choctaw suka, hog, noochi, wallow. 

SUKA-ISPOKA. Former Muskoki town. From suka, hog, ispoka, a killing 
place. 

SUKATANSHE, Mississippi. See Chookatonkchie. 

SULI-MIKO. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki suli, buzzard, miko, 
chief (11). 

TAKALEECHE, Mississippi. From Choctaw takalichih, to put down. 

TACOA, Alabama. See Toccoa. 

TALALA. Creek in Oklahoma. See Talula. 

TALASSEE, Georgia. See Tallassee. 

TALATIGI. Former Muskoki town. From italua, town, atigi, at the end (11). 

TALESE. Old Muskoki town probably same as Tallassee. Pickett records 
as from Muskoki tal-o-fau, a town, ese, taken. 

TALI HINA, Oklahoma. From Six Towns dialect tali, rock, hina, road. 

TALI SI (TALSI). Ancient Muskoki town. From Muskoki italua, town, hassi, 
old. 

TALLA. Mississippi. From Choctaw talla, a palmetto. 

TALLA BOGUE creek. From Choctaw talla, palmetto, and Creole bogue for 
bok. 

TALLADEGA. Mts. Town in Alabama. From Muskoki i-tala-dega, plains or 
border town. 

TALLAHAGA. Former Muskoki town. From i-tallua, town, haga, noisy. 


Toomey—Mushhogean Proper Names. 19 

TALLAHALA (TALLAHALEY, ALA.). From Choctaw tali ahieli, standing 
rocks. 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. From Seminole itala, town, hassi, old. 

TALLAHATCHIE river, county ,i,n Mississippi. From Choctaw tali, rock, * 
hatchi, river. 

TALLAHATTA, Alabama. From Muskoki i-tala hutta, white or peace town. 

TALLAHOMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw talla homa, red rock or copper. 

TALLAPOOSA, Alabama. Probably from Hitchiti talapusi, stranger. 

TALLASSAHATCHEE, Alabama. From Muskoki i-tal-u-’assi, deserted town, 
hatchi, river. 

TALLASSEE, Alabama. From Mikasuki tal-u-’ assi, former or deserted town. 

TALLATCH EE. Creek in Alabama. From Muskoki italua, settlement, hatchi, 
river. 

TALLEY, Louisiana. From Southern Choctaw talli, rock or iron. 

TAL LULA, Alabama. River in Georgia. From Choctaw talula, a bell. 

TALLYHOMA BOK. From Six Towns dialect tali homa, red rock (iron), 
bok, creek. 

TALMODSHASI. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki talua mutchasi, new 
town. 

TALOEAH, Mississippi. From Choctaw taloahiah, to go singing. 

TA-LO-HO-AH. Choctaw name of a falls in Georgia. Means continually sing¬ 
ing. 

TALOWAH, Mississippi. From Choctaw taloah, singing. 

TALUA HADSHO. Former Muskoki town. From i-talua hadsho, chief war 
town. 

TALUA HALLUI. Old Muskoki town. From Muskoki i-talua, town, hallui, 
upper. 

TALUCAH, Alabama. From Muskoki taluka, singing. 

TALUA T’LAKO. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki italua t’lako, great 
town. 

TALUGA. River in Florida. From Seminole taluga, singing. 

TALULA. Muskoki name of a river. Said to mean “leaping waters.” 

TAM OLA, Mississippi. From Choctaw tamola, lost. 

TAMPA, Florida. If Muskhogean, from Creek itimpi, close to it, near it (11). 

TANGIPAHOA, Louisiana. An Indian Tr,ibe. From Choctaw tanchi, corn, 
pashoha, to gather. 

TASSENOCOGOULA. Name of a tribe. From Choctaw tasennuk, flint, goula, 
people. 

TCHUKA ’LAKO. Former Muskoki town. From tchuka, cabin, ’lako, large. 

TCHULA, Mississippi. From Choctaw chula, fox. 

TEKOA, Alabama. See Toccoa. 

TENSAS, Louisiana. (TENSAW, Alabama.) From tribe called Taensa. Mean¬ 
ing never known. 

TH LAN HATKI. Muskoki name of a ridge in Georgia. Means white moun¬ 
tains. 

THLENE OOCHE AUBAULAU. Old Muskoki town. Means “over the little 
mountain.” 


20 


Bulletin 3 — Hervas Laboratories. 


THLATLO GULGAU. Former Muskoki town. From t’latlo, fish, gulgau, all (26). 

TIBBEE (TIBBIE), Mississippi. From Choctaw chief Iti ubi, wood killer. 

TICKFAW, Alabama. Contracted from Choctaw tickbaw, first, afoha, place 
of rest. 

TILLATOBA, Mississippi. From Choctaw tulla tobi a, the white hill top. 

TIPPAH (TIPPO), Mississippi. From Tippah, wife of Pontotoc, a Chickasaw 
chief. 

TISHOMINGO, Mississippi and Oklahoma. From a Chickasaw chief; means 
chief war king. 

TOBESOFKEE, Georgia. From Muskoki topi sofki, a bowl of Tom Fuller. 

TOBI, Mississippi. From Choctaw tohbi, white. 

TOCCOA, Georgia. (TOCOI, Florida.) From Muskoki for tadpole. 

TOCCOPOLA, Mississippi. From Choctaw tok kopola, was bitten. 

TOHOPEKA, Alabama. From Muskoki. tuhupki from itu hupki, wooden fence 
or fort. 

TOHOPEKALIGA. Lake in Florida. From Seminole tohopiki, fort, liga, site. 

TOKAGALGI. Old Muskoki town. From tokogalgi, tadpole collection or place. 

TOLAKA, Oklahoma. From Choctaw i-tola ka, this is where we will settle. 

TOMBIGBEE river. From Choctaw .itumbi ikbi, box or coffin makers. 

TOOMSUBA creek. From Choctaw toomaha issuha, horse town, or tonuli 
issuba. 

TOONISUBA, Mississippi. From Choctaw tonuli, rolling, issuba, horse. 

TOPISAW, Mississippi. May be from Choctaw tahpisah, to see now (8). 

TRIMCANE creek. Choctaw original was oski fakoplih, stripped cane. 

TSALA APOPKA. Lake in Florida. From Muskoki tsalopopka, cat fish eat¬ 
ing place. 

TUBBY, Mississippi. From Choctaw chief Iti ubbi, Wood Killer. 

TUCKAHAW. Ancient Muskoki town. Romans records it as meaning “a 
weed.” 

TUCSAWHACHEE, Georgia. From Muskoki tuksaha, iron weed, hatchi, river. 

TUKPAFKA. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki, means rotten wood. 

TUKTU KAGI. Former Muskoki town. From tuktu, crib, kagi, set up. 

TULA, Mississippi. Probably from tulla, the peak of a range of hills. 

TULLAHASSEE, Oklahoma. See Tallahassee. 

TULLAHOMA, Mississippi. From Choctaw tulli homa, red rock, stone or 
iron. 

TULLI AISHA. Former Choctaw town. From Choctaw tulli, rocks, aisha, 
abound. 

TULSA, Oklahoma. (TULSE, Alabama.) Formerly Talsi, abbreviated from 
Talahassi, which see. 

TUMKEEHATCHEE creek. From Muskoki tumki noise (noisy), hatchi, river. 

TUNCHI PASHOHAH. Choctaw town. From tunchi, corn, pashohah, handled, 
marketed’. 

TUPASHAW. Creek in Mississippi. From Choctaw kupasaw, cold. 

TUPELO, Mississippi, Okla. Corruption of Choctaw tuhpulah, to call or 
shout. 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 21 

TUSCAHOMA, Alabama and Oklahoma. From Choctaw tushka, warrior, homa, 
red. 

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama. From Indian Chief Tuska Loosa, Black Warrior; 
loosa black. 

TUSCANOOGA, Florida. From Seminole tuska, warrior, noogsa, dark red or 
brown. 

TUSCOLA, Mississippi. From Choctaw tushka okla, warriors. 

TUSKUMBIA, Alabama. From Chickasaw chief Tushka Umbachi, Rainmaking 
Warrior. 

TUSKAWILLA, Florida. From Muskoki tuska, warriors, wila, white oak. 

TUSKEGEE, Alabama and Oklahoma. From Muskoki tushkalgi, warriors. 

TUSKOGEE. Former Muskoki town. From tuska kocha, weather warrior. 

TUTALOSI. Former Muskoki town. From Muskoki tutalosi, fowl or chicken. 

TYBEE. Island in Georgia. See Tibbee. 

UIUKUFKI. River in Oklahoma. From Muskoki ui-wa, water, ukufki, muddy. 

UKTAHA SASSI. Former Muskoki town. From uktaha, sand, sassi, heap or 
stretch. 

UPATOIE, Georgia. From Muskoki upatog “covering spread out” (16). 

WACAHOOTA, Florida. From Mikasuki waca, cow, huta, white. Waca from 
Spanish vaca. 

WACASASSEE. River in Florida. From Seminole waca, cow, sassi, range. 

WACO, Mississippi. From Muskoki waco, a heron. 

WAHALAK, Mississippi. From Choctaw wahelak, the ground between the 
fork of streams. 

WAHOO, Georgia, Florida. From Muskoki uhawhu, the elm (Ulmus alata, 
T. heterophylla). 

WAKCHAH NUSIH. Extant Chickasaw town. Means “to sleep wide apart.” 

WAKO KAYI. Former Muskoki town, from wako, a heron, kayi, a nest, 
breeding place. 

WAKUDSHI. Choctaw name of a creek. Means calf; wak, cow, -udshi, 
diminutive. 

WAKULLA, Florida. From Seminole. Means “mystery.” 

WAMBA, Mississippi. See Itawamba. 

WAUCHULA, Florida. From Seminole o-wa, water, chula, fox, fox water. 

W ASS AW. Island in Georgia. From Muskoki waksa, a cow; also called Cow 
island. 

WAXAHACHIE, Alabama. From Muskoki waksa, cow, hatchi, river; cow 
creek. 

WEFANIE, Georgia. From Muskoki ui-wa, water, fani, turkey. 

WEHADKEE, Alabama. From Muskoki ui-wa, water, hudki, white, also means 
lake. 

WEKIWA. Springs in Florida. From Seminole uiwa, water, kaya, rising, 
spring. 

WELAKA, Florida. From Seminole ui-wa hlako, great water, also river of 
lakes. 

WEOGUFKA, Alabama. From Muskoki ui-wa, water, gufka, muddy. 


22 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


WEOKA, Alabama. From the Wiwoka, an Alabamu tribe on the Coosa. From 
Muskoki ui-wa, water, wokis, it is roaring. 

WESOBULGA, Alabama. From Muskoki weso, sassafras, pulga, thicket. 
WETUMPKA (WITUMKA), Florida, Oklahoma. From Muskoki ui-wa, water, 
tumka, tumbling. 

WEWAHATCHKA, Florida. From Seminole ui-wa hatchka, lake. 

WE WOK A. Towns in Oklahoma and Alabama. See Wiwoka. 
WILLACOOCHEE. Creek and town in Georgia. See Withlacoochee. 
WILLOW HOCK EE, Florida. Probably from Seminole ui-wa ’lak.i hotki, long 
lake. 

WITHLACOOCHEE, Florida. From Seminole uiwa t’lak-uchi, long, little 
(narrow) river. 

WOCKAH. Creek in Alabama. From Muskoki. Means roaring. 

YAGNA ASHOOGAWA. Choctaw district. From Southern Choctaw, means 
good land. 

YAHOOLA, Georgia. From Yahoola, war cry. 

YALAHA, Florida. Probably from yalalaha, a quagmire. 

YALOBUSHA, Mississippi. From Choctaw yalobasha, tadpoles abound. 
YANUBBE. Creek in Oklahoma. From Chickasaw i-yan-ubi, iron-wood, witch- 
hazel. 

YAZOO river. From Choctaw Yashu, a pure place name which has lost its 
meaning. 

YASHU ISKITINI. Choctaw name of a creek. Iskit.ini means small. 
YEMASSEE (YEMASSI). Extinct Muskhogean tribe. Said to mean, mild, 
peaceful. 

YOKAHOCKANY river. From Choctaw yoka hok ahni, them who had waited. 
YOKN APATAWPHA river. From Choctaw yokna patafa, that which ploughs. 
YOCONY, Mississippi. Probably from Choctaw yo, emphatic particle, koni, 
skunk. 

YOKENA, Mississippi. Probably from Choctaw yo kinafa, it is broken down, 
emphatic. 

YULEE, Florida. From Hitchiti yuhli, to be blown over. 

YUBA, Oklahoma. From Hitchiti yubali, behind, in the rear. 

Analysis of the Place Names. 

Three per cent of the names were used purely as sound ag¬ 
glutinations as they had lost all of their original connotative 
function. Three per cent of the names are known to have orig¬ 
inated from the names of individuals, and seven per cent from 
the tribal or other groups who were the local residents. Some 
four and a half per cent of the names expressed the social im¬ 
portance or function of the places bearing them, and about three 
per cent expressed relative location. Only one and a half per 
cent of the names embodied expression of the higher sentiments 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


23 


or of pure fancy. The remaining seventy-eight per cent was 
made up of names taken from local happenings (7%), from the 
character of the terrain or some local peculiarity (34%), and 
(37%) from the names of animals or plants, or the actions of 
animals. A few of the latter may originally have been personal 
names. From the relative frequency of the names of the above 
mentioned types it will be seen that the Muskhogean geograph¬ 
ical nomenclature differs greatly from the types of Anglo-Saxon 
place names in America by the following characteristics: the 
high percentage of names describing local features of the ter¬ 
rain and local happenings (over 40%); the much more frequent 
use of names of animals and plants; the infrequent occurrence 
of pure place names, of names expressing relative location or 
social importance, of names expressing fancy and sentiment, 
and of names taken from individuals and societies. Most of the 
geographical names used by the white men in America are pure 
place names, as they are without direct apparent meaning, such 
as names from the Classics, names imported from Europe, and 
the Indian names we use. The remainder are mostly names ex¬ 
pressing analogies or are derived from the names of individuals 
or societies. 

Characteristics distinguishing the nomenclatorial system of 
the Muskhogean peoples from those of other American stocks 
are: the relatively frequent occurrence of compound substantive 
names; the infrequent occurrence of inflexional or other gram¬ 
matical elements in the names; and the rare occurrence of the 
use of analogy and fanciful resemblances. We naturally expect 
to find the names derived from nature to depend upon the local 
fauna and flora. Thus we notice the frequent occurrence 
of names taken from the aquatic reptilia, particularly the 
chelonidae, the small turkey, and the catamount (southern 
“panther”). 

Personal Names. 

I give the customs of address and the various kinds of per¬ 
sonal names as they are used among the Choctaws, Chickasaws, 
Muskokis, and Seminoles of the present day. Since the time of 
earliest contact with Europeans these customs have changed in 


24 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


only two particulars, neither of which greatly alter the tradi¬ 
tional customs for naming and addressing individuals. One of 
the changes is due to the gradual disappearance of titles of mili¬ 
tary command, and the other is due to the acquisition of Euro¬ 
pean names, which are used for purposes of business and record 
but not for intercourse in the tribe. Many Seminoles and some 
Muskokis have never heard the European names by which they 
are recorded on the land books. 

Among the Muskokis and Seminoles most men have had a 
series of “names,” each name approximately indicating the 
male’s age and social status. These names are of the following 
kinds: secret birth names; names of infancy and early childhood; 
nick-names of later childhood; busk or puberty names; busk 
titles; civil titles, usually of later manhood; and war titles prop¬ 
erly so called. Adult men eventually come to be known chiefly 
by one of their titles. Formerly young men were known by 
their highest war title, or lacking one, by their highest busk 
title. Those men not of the warrior class were invariably given 
busk titles, except that feeble-minded males usually received 
only a male pubert name. Men who were found to be effeminate 
or who developed into urnings were not admitted to the annual 
busks, and instead of male puberty names were frequently given 
female names or nick-names. These men (some of whom were 
false hermaphrodites) were collectively called chobigalgi by the 
Muskoki and hobukakli by the Choctaws and Chickasaws. Each 
of the three types of titles had several varieties—not true grades 
—but of late a few varieties are no longer used. Civil titles were 
conferred by electing a man for life to one of the town councils. 
However, up to recently, each town had its ruling gens and only 
males of that gens could be elected to a seat in its town council. 
During the centuries just passed, civil titles could be held by 
those not of the warrior class in both the peace and war towns, 
but warriors could hold civil titles only in the war towns. Only 
the war titles implied authority, as the busk titles only indicated 
social status. Those with civil titles could exercise influence 
only by council and persuasion. Formerly both the Muskoki 
tribes and the Choctaw-Chickasaw group had only a gentile form 


Toomey—Mushhogean Proper Names. 


25 


of government, with inheritance through the female line, but 
national affairs were transacted by each town concerned electing 
some of their titled men (chiefs) to the national council. Primi¬ 
tively these councils were called only as the interests of the 
nation, or part of the nation, demanded. Those who sat in them 
were usually given a high busk title at the next annual busk. 
Noted military leaders besides their war titles also received 
high busk titles. The busks were usually presided over by old 
men of the shamman class, who were known by busk titles pe¬ 
culiar to themselves. War titles were conferred only by the 
isti atsigalgi or beloved men of the war towns. 

The Choctaws and Chickasaws had secret names, boyhood, 
and puberty names, but they did not have busk titles. They had 
only the titles miko (chief), miko ubih (killer chief), mikochobi 
(great chief) and hopaii (war leader). The names containing 
humma (homa) implied some superiority. A distinction between 
war and civil titles was not maintained. In no Muskhogean 
township were two adults known by the same name, but at the 
national “talks,” in war rallies, on hunting parties, etc., it 
became necessary to distinguish those with the same title. The 
distinction was effected by using the title as a suffix to the name 
of the man’s sept (clan). 

Women had secret birth names, infancy and girlhood names, 
nick-names, and female puberty names. An adult woman was 
known by her puberty name, unless it was not commonly known, 
wherefor she was spoken of by her husband’s name. Among 
the Muskokis the women were usually known by the name of 
their eldest brother. History tells of a few women who were 
called chiefs. 

The secret names were sacred charms conferred upon the 
children at the time of birth. They were conferred upon the 
baby by the maternal grandmother or eldest maternal aunt, or, 
if necessary, by the mother. The names were usually chosen 
from the names of plants or birds, as these names were supposed 
to possess peculiar power to confer good luck. The secret names 
were withheld from everyone except the mother, who later told 
it to the child. The name could be changed by the mother or 


26 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


grown-up child at any time it was thought that the youngster 
was laboring under an evil charm, or had been looked upon by 
the evil eye (this latter concept was acquired from the negroes). 
The change of name was affected—at least by adults—by the 
person remaining in solitude for a day or more, during which 
time he performed rites peculiar to himself and intended to drive 
away the evil influence. 

The girls were named by their mothers. They were frequently 
named after flowers but could be named after anything except 
an animal. Boyhood names were conferred by the eldest mater¬ 
nal uncle. However, boys were often known by nick-names. 
Playmates usually called each other by nick-names, by names 
indicating the position played in the chunki or other game, or 
by short untranslatable names. As examples of the latter are 
the Choctaw names Omi, Bolah and Picho. Only nick-names 
were permitted to refer to personal peculiarities or parts of 
the body. To call an adult by a nick-name was considered an 
insult. 

Of the Muskoki busk titles only five have survived to modern 
times. They are the Tassikayas (Warriors), Yaholas (Shouters 
or Halooers), the Hatshyos (Crazy Ones), the Fisikos (Heart¬ 
less Ones) and the Imat ’la Tassikayas (Leading Warriors). 
The titles indicating military command were the Pakatshas 
(lower war leaders), Tustennugis (assistant battle leaders), and 
the Tustennugi ’Lako (or chief war leader). Each war town 
had a tustennugi ’lako. The title Miko was a civil title and was 
usually hereditary. It was held by the principal man of a gens. 
The Mikos were the real rulers among the Muskokis, but their 
authority was limited and could be exercised only over those 
of their own blood. A miko was the head man in the towns of 
which his gens was the ruling phratrie. On the death of a miko 
his title went to the eldest surviving son of his eldest sister, pro¬ 
vided the town council approved of the latter’s fitness. 

Customs of Conversation. 

A man was always addressed by the proper term of relation¬ 
ship if he and the speaker were related by blood. As relation- 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


27 


ship was traced through the female, a man had only the follow¬ 
ing blood relatives: his brothers and sisters; his maternal uncles 
and aunts; only children of his aunts were his cousins; his 
cousins once removed were female children of his female cousins; 
only the children of his sisters were his nieces and nephews; 
he was related to the children of his nieces but not to his 
nephews’ children. A man was not considered related to his 
children and theoretically could not control them against the 
wishes of his wife’s eldest brother. Still, he and his children 
addressed each other by the terms “my father” and “my son 
(daughter).” A man, while living in his wife’s home (his home 
proper being with his phratrie), usually addressed the male 
members of her immediate household by their personal names, 
but any other relative of his wife was addressed by the term 
expressing that person’s relationship to his wife, prefixed by the 
term “my wife’s.” Excepting those women in his wife’s im¬ 
mediate household, usually her unmarried or simple-minded 
sisters, a man never addressed a woman not of his phratrie, 
unless some of her people were present. Should a man meet 
his intended wife before the respective families had made any 
marriage arrangements, he could not pay court to her unless 
some of the girl’s relatives were around. A girl when being 
courted was to try to act as shy as possible, and was not per¬ 
mitted to address her suitor by his name. Women addressed 
each other by their proper names, sometimes by uncomplimen¬ 
tary epithets, and less frequently by terms of relationship. A 
woman never addressed a man to whom she was not related by 
blood. In addressing her male relations she always used the 
term expressing their blood relationship. All women of a man’s 
phratrie were related to him by blood and he could address them 
by their personal name or by the terms indicating their relation¬ 
ship to him. Among the Muskokis, aged gentlemen called any 
boy or young man by the term “my son,” and they in turn were 
commonly addressed as “my father” by the young and middle- 
aged males of the same phratrie. It should be remarked that 
the above customs could be enforced only by social sanction and 
were not observed at the busk carousals. 


28 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


CHOCTAW AND CH 

Kin-nak-li, 

Nahotima, 

Tohto Peha, 

Kananah Ohoyo, 

Ai-ahnichih Ohoyoh, 

Tippah, 

Pakali, 

Im-ai-yah, 

Oka Shuah, 

CHOCTAW AND CH 

Hohtak Lahba, 

Ishki Tahah, 

Oktak Chitoh, 

Ish-iah-hin-la, 

Oka Chilohofah, 

Tomih Nowa, 

Hlikuklo Hosh, 

Ka-nowa, 

Lawih, 

Olubih, 

Os si Hosh, 

Tobu Humma, 

Yokni Humma, 

CHOCTAW AND CH 

Chisha Homa, 

Shakch.i Humma, 

Sbulush Humma, 

Tanapoh Humma, 

Atoni Yiminta, 

Tuna Pin Acbufa, 

Ha-cho-tak-ni, 

Pontotok, 

Koi Hosh, 

Tuli Hooma, 

Ablatab Humma, 

Ossi Chahlib, 

Illi Sbuab, 


ICKASAW FEMALE NAMES. 

Limping. 

Not translatable. 

Red Elm Gathered Up. 

Woman Seeking Somebody. 
Woman Superior Than Others. 
Cut Off. 

Blossom. 

To Pass By. 

Stinking Water. 

ICKASAW BOYHOOD NAMES. 

LukeWarm (lahba). 

Mother Gone (Orphan). 

Big Prairie (oktak). 

You Liable to Go. 

Falling Water (oka). 

Walking in Sunshine. 

The Humming Bird (hlikukhlo). 
The Walker. 

Being Equal. 

To Take by Force. 

The Eagle (ossi). 

Made Red (humma). 

Red Clay (yokni). 

ICKASAW PUBERTY NAMES. 

Red Post-oak (chisha). 

Red Crawfish (shakchi). 

Red Shoes (shulush). 

Red Gun (tanapoh). 

Excited Watchman (atoni). 

Our One Weaver (tuna). 

Snapping Turtle (Peter Prichlin). 
Weed Prairie. 

The Panther (koi). 

Red Rock, Iron. 

Mixed (with) Red. 

Swift Eagle (ossi). 

Dead Stench (shuah). 


Miko Hopaii, 
Holubih Miko, 
Tushka Chito, 
Yoknih, Hopaii, 


CHOCTAW AND CHICKASAW TITLES. 

Chief War Leader. 

Lieing Chief (miko). 

Big Warrior (tushka). 
Dirt War Leader. 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names 


29 


Iba-nowa Miko, 

Pushkush Miko, 

Ulla Banoh Miko, 

Apakfohlichi Ubi, 

Naki Homma Hacbo, 

Himak Ubih, 

Ossi Chalih, 

Tanampo Ubih, 

Tushka Apela, 

Tahpulah Miko, 

Pasholih Ubih, 

Aiyu-kah Ubih, 

Tushka Umbachi, 

Okla Homa Miko, 

Tushka Lusa, 

Chief Walks With Chief. 

Chief Babykin (pushkush). 

Chief Only Child (ulla). 

Run Around Killer. 

Crazy Red Arrow (naki). 

Today Killer. 

Swift Eagle (ossi). 

Gun Killer. 

Helping Warrior. 

Shouting Chief. 

By Hands Killer. 

Each One Killer. 

Rainmaker Warrior. 

Red Land Chief. 

Black Warrior (tushka), Famous chief jn 
time of DeSoto. 

Ishi Hotopa, 

Beloved Individual (ishi). Chief of Chicka- 
saws in 1820. 

Koi Hatshyo, 

Crazy Panther. Creek Billy, a Chickasaw 
with a Muskoki name. 

Mingo Homa Ubih, 

Red Killer Chief. The highest title among 
the Choctaws. 

Hopoa Miko Himmittah, 

Tushako Hopaii, 

Emisha Taluyah, 

Yakni Moma Ubih, 

Shikasah Nana Ubih, 

Aboha Kullo Humma, 

Miko Amoshuli-ubi, 

Pisah Miah-ubi Miko, 
Anumaishtaya Ubih, 

The Hungry Young Chief. 

War Chief Warrior; or assistant war leader. 
Cyrus Harris. Meaning is uncertain. 

All on the Groung Killer; Levi Colbert. 
Chickasaw Who Kills Anything. 

Red Fort (aboha, house) (kullo, strong). 
Chief I Persevere to Kill. Died in 1838. 

Chief to Look for and Kill. John Colbert. 
Messenger Killer. Pushamataha, Famous 
Choctaw orator. 

Hattak Ubih Humma Okpuloh, 

A Bad Red Man (hattak). 


MUSKOKI-SEMINOLE BUSK TITLES. 
Seminoles. 


Katsa Hatshyo, 

Imat ’la dchi, 

Chiti Yoholo, 

Taski Hatshyo, 

Inholata Imat’la, 

Halpati Tastennagi, 

Fake Lusti Hatshyo, 

Crazy Tiger. 

Little Leader. 

Snake Halooer. 

Crazy Warrior. 

Jumping Leader. 

Alligator. 

Crazy Chicken. 

Ifa Hatshyo, 

Ifa Tassikaya, 

Muskokis. 

Crazy Dog. 

Dog Warrior. 


30 


Bulletin 3—Hervas Laboratories. 


Tsala Imat’la, 

Yaha Hatshyo, 

Waksi Hatshyo, 

Italua Fiksiko, 

Hutali Imat’la, 

Uhktaha Sassi Hatshyo, 
Hopu-i Hi’li Yahola, 
Kawitalgi Immiko, 

Osta Kasihtalgi Immiko, 
A-sin Yahola, 

Chito Hatshyo, 


Catfish Leader. 

Crazy Wolf. 

Everted Prepuce. 

Town Heartless One. 

Principal Wind Warrior. 

Sandy Place Crazy Chief. 

Hollering Handsome Child. 

Kaw.ita Busk Assistant. 

Busk Log Carrier (not the literal translation) 
Black-drink Halooer. Legus Perryman, late 
Muskoki ruler. 

Crazy Snake. A prominent contemporary 
Muskoki, 


MUSKOKI-SEMINOLE CIVIL TITLES (NAMES). 


Yaholo Miko, 
Tassikaya Miko, 
Otalki T’luko, 
Hutalgi Miko, 
Miko Imat’la, 

Huli Miko, 

Homa T’le Miko, 
Inholata Miko, 
Kusseta Miko, 
T’Lukko Miko, 
Ikana Chati Miko, 


Shouting Chief. 

Warrior Chief., 

The Great Shamman. 

Chief of Wind Gens. 

Leader Chief. 

War Chief. 

Chief Red Arrow. 

Jumper Chief. 

Head Man of Kusseta Town. 

Great King (Ben Perryman). 

Head Man of Ikana Chati (red earth). 


M USKOKI-SEM INOLE WAR TITLES (NAMES). 


Yehologi, 

Huyani, 

Koi Kutchi, 

Katsha Lani, 

Chufi Hutko, 

Tustennuggi, 

Lawa Hkaika, 

Koi Chati, 

Isti Pakaydsha, 

Yaya Tustennuggi, 
Sutak’hahki, 

Mikko Tustennuggi, 

Nukusi Ili Tchapko, 

T’luko Tustennuggi, 

Hiniha T’luko Hupayi, 
Fosowa Losti Tustennuggi, 
Apalachukalgi Hu’li Kapitani, 


The Cloud. 

Blowing. 

Wild Panther. 

Yellow Tiger. 

White Rabbit. 

Assistant War Leader. 

Creeping in Ambush. 

Red Panther (McGillivray). 

Principal War Leader. 

Wailing War Leader. 

Men Fighting in a Line. 

Chief Warrior; Captain Tom Tiger. 
Long-footed Bear; S. B. Callahan. 

Big Warrior; Tiger Tail, a Seminole. 
Great Enemy Charmer. 

Black Bird Warrior. 

War Captain of the Apalatchi. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

36 


Toomey—Muskhogean Proper Names. 


31 


LITERATURE. 

Adair, James. History of the American Indians. . . . London, 1775. 

American State Papers. Indian Affairs Series. Washington, D. C., 1834, 2 v. 
Bartram, William. Travels through . . . Carolina. . . . Phila., 1791. 
Boyd, Stephen G. Indian Local Names with their Interpretation, 1885. 
Bushnell, D. I. Choctaws of Bayou Lacombe, Bui. 48, Bur. Am. Eth., 1909. 
Catlin. Notes of Eight Years Travels, New York, 1848. 

Coe, C. Red Patriot: the story of the Seminoles, Cincinnati, 1898. 

Cushman, H. History of the Choctaw, Chickasaw . . . Greenville, 

Tex., 1899. 

Drake, S. G. Aboriginal Races of North America, 15th Ed. 

Gannett, H. Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, 2nd Ed. 

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Gatschet, A. Migration Legends of Creeks, 2 v., Phil., 1884, St. L., 1885. 
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Idem. Report of the Alabama Hist. Commission, 1901. Vol. I, Montgomery. 
Haines, Elijah. The American Indian, 1888. 

Halibert, H. Okla Hannali. Amer. Antiquarian. Vol. XV, No. 3, May, 1893. 
Idem. Derivation of Mobile and Alabama. Amer. Anthrop. Vol. 23, 179, 
1901. 

Hawkins, B. Sketch of the Creek Country, Georgia Hist. Soc., Savannah. 
Hawkins, J. Names from Indians. Philadelphia Times. Feb. 2, 1898. 
Hodge, F. Handbook of the Indians; Bui. 30, Bur. Am. Eth., Washington, 
1907-08. 

Jones. Antiquities of the Southern Indians, New York, 1873. 

Le Page du Pratz. Histoire de la Louisiane. Paris, 1758, 3 v., 16-mo. 
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McCauley, Clay. Seminole Indians of Florida. 5th Rep. Bur. Am. Eth. 
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Moore-Willson, Minnie. Seminoles of Florida. N. Y., Moffat, 1911, 8-vo. 
Morgan, L. H. Ancient Society, N. Y., Henry Holt, 1879. 

Picket, A. Hist, of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Charleston, 1851. 
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Pilling, J. Bibliography of Muskhogean Languages. Bui. 9, Bur. Am. Eth. 
Pope. Tour through the southern . . . territories. Richmond, 1792. 

Schoolcraft. Description of Aboriginal American Names. 

Schoolcraft. Observations. . . . Vol. Ill, pp. 501-09, 1854, 4-to. 

Schoolcraft. Observations. . . . Vol. IV, pp. 380-81, 4-to. 

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1911. 

Warren, H. In Public. Mississippi Hist. Soc., Vol. VIII, pp. 555-70. 
Wheeler, H. In Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary. Editions 1864 to 1886. 

























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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


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BULLETINS OF THE 
HERVAS LABORATORIES OF 
AMERICAN LINGUISTICS 

Bulletin No. 1 Bibliographies of Lesser North American Linguistic 
Families. 

Bulletin No. 2 Source-book of Muskhogean Archaeology and 
Ethnology. 

Bulletin No. 3 Proper Names from the Muskhogean Languages. 

Bulletin No. 4 Relationships of the Chitimachan Linguistic Family 

Bulletin No. 5 Grammatical and Lexical Notes on the Keres 
Language (Acoma-Laguna Dialect) of the Keresan 


Stock. 




